- 24 Dec 2024
Arsenal prepared to OFFER contract of a LIFETIME to Euro 2024 star
Bence Bocsák
- 15 Jul 2024 11:30 BST
- 3 min read
With Euro 2024 and Copa America both concluding on Sunday night, the focus will shift back to the transfer window.
It's been a quiet month as the two tournaments played out. However, now as players leave international duty negotiations can begin and clubs can accelerate their moves for their ideal targets.
Football Transfers reported exclusively that one of the players Arsenal will be lining up a move for is Spain's Mikel Merino.
READ MORE: Arsenal and Man Utd told to pay €30m for Euro 2024 star by club president
Merino scored a sensational winner for Spain in the quarter-final of the tournament against Germany, and more than played a role in making sure his country lifted the Henri Delaunay trophy aloft in Berlin on Sunday night.
Now he will enter the market as a Euro 2024 winner with Arsenal still very keen in adding another midfielder to Arteta's squad.
And according to Mundo Deportivo's Basque newspaper edition, Arsenal are so keen to sign Merino they are prepared to offer him the contract of a 'lifetime.'
Merino currently plies his trade at Real Sociedad, but in the past he's featured for Borussia Dortmund and even had a short stint at Newcastle United.
He is currently in the form of his life and is definitely entering his peak years as a holding midfielder having 28 years old last month.
Merino has just one year left on his contract and it definitely feels like the right time for him to be on the move. He's had a good season at Sociedad and put his name in the spotlight at Euro 2024.
Current ETV
Mikel Merino
M (C)
Real Sociedad
Mikel Merino
M (C)
Real Sociedad
ETV Range
€15.9M - €26.5M
Arsenal could be an ideal fit. The way Arteta's side plays would suit Merino and the club is in need of a more defensive minded midfielder to add to their current list of options.
He may not be a regular starter for the Gunners, but he could be an excellent squad option.
The only question remains is just how much Arsenal are willing to spend on his services. Even with a year left on his contract, Real Sociedad will be unwilling to allow him to depart on the cheap.
